New Mom Primer: Stuff You Need for the First 3 – 6 Months

Boobs and diapers are the only must-haves to survive the first few months of new motherhood. There’s no need for Babies "R" Us to throw up all over the nursery while you wait for your baby to arrive. But registries are fun and stuff makes life easier.

Before baby boy came along, I stitched various checklists together to figure out what I should register for and had no clue what I was doing. At the request of a good friend who is expecting her first baby in August, here is my recommended list of what to register for if you’re doing this for the first time.

1. Disposable diapers (Even if you choose cloth, you will want disposables on hand for days when the laundry just doesn’t get done.)
2. Miracle blanket (Trust me. Get it.)
3. Baby carrier (I recommend an Ergo plus an infant insert for the Ergo or a Moby Wrap for the first 4 months.)
4. Swing (Nothing fancy required)
5. Onesies (about 10 each of newborn, 0 – 3 months, and 3 – 6 mo)
6. Baby gowns (Sleepers are too much to fool with.)
7. Baby legwarmers (These keep legs warm and make diaper changes a breeze.)
8. Long socks (The short ones just fall off.)
9. Teething sock
10. Dr. Brown’s 4 ounce standard-width bottles (4 if you’re breastfeeding and at home with baby, 12 if you’ll be pumping at work)
11. A good stroller (This is worth test driving and spending money on. I didn’t do this, but friends who did recommend both the Orbit and Bugaboo. Second-hand purchases make them more affordable.)
12. Car seat (If your stroller doesn’t convert to a bassinet, try to find a car seat that fits in the stroller for the newborn days.)
13. Baby bathtub (Get one like this.)
14. Aiden & Anais muslin blankets (about 4)
15. Burp cloths—lots (20 is not too many)
16. Pacifier (Get the ones made for 0+ months. I like Nuk the best.)
17. Diaper bag (I’ve enjoyed my Ju-Ju-Be but would spring for the bigger size than the Be All)
18. Baby shampoo and lotion (just 1 bottle of each)
19. Aquaphor (to help prevent diaper rash and for very dry skin inside those cute baby wrinkles)
20. Nasal aspirator (This one is totally worth it.)
21. Thermometer (The ear ones suck. Temple ones are much better.)
22. Infant Tylenol
23. Boppy pillow
24. Baby nail clippers
25. Baby brush
26. Humidifier (I chose the warm mist, but a case could be made for the cold mist. Don't get both. That's being a pregzilla.)
27. Happiest Baby on the Block

Conspicuously absent from this list are sleeping and breastfeeding equipment. I can't recommend a particular cosleeper because until 7 months, the only place my baby would sleep was in bed next to me. He wanted nothing to do with the Amby Hammock and is quite happy in his crib now. As for breastfeeding supplies, that requires another post.